r and wherever duty called him his personal safety was
by him never considered. Often have I seen him in the thickest of the
fight, by his presence and personal direction cheering and encouraging
both officers and men. Though the son of the general in chief of the
army, he took no favor by it.
He never took advantage of his rank to keep to the rear and send his
regiments in. You could always measure his estimate of you by the manner
in which he met you. The soul of candor, his heart shone in his eye, and
placing a high estimate upon manhood, he loved all in whom he recognized
it. For about two years during the latter part of the war I served in
his command, and had every opportunity to observe and know him.
My acquaintance with him here was but a revival of old memories. I
always loved him as one who--
Spake no slander; no, nor listened to it.
* * * * *
Who reverenced his conscience as his king.
Who, if he committed an error or wronged any man, was swift to redress
it; never laying his blame at another man's door. Who excelled in all
the virtues which go to make up a beautiful private life in all the
essentials of faithful friendship and truthful character; who lived--
Thro' all this tract of years,
Wearing the white flower of a blameless life.
Think for a moment how much better and happier every one would be if all
men were earnestly to strive to live up to this high standard and how
much of pain would be spared the world. He was one of the most faithful
members upon this floor; faithful to the public interest, and whenever
any proposition was under consideration which specially concerned his
own people, they always had in him an able advocate and strong defender.
He is gone! sincere Christian, loving husband and father, trusted
friend. The life that was given him has been taken away. The widow and
the orphan mourn, and their grief is our grief; but a merciful Father
has given him more than he has taken away, and this strength and comfort
through the tender mercy of our Saviour is theirs--
I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and
believeth in me shall never die.
ADDRESS OF MR. BRECKINRIDGE, OF KENTUCKY.
Mr. SPEAKER: I never had the pleasure of Gen. LEE's acquaintance, so far
as I could recall, until he entered this House as a
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